good, but derivative (mild spoiler - discussion of the plot's roots in BBC tv series)

Rating: 6/10 (8 July 2003)

I got the feeling that Danny Boyle watched the following British post-apocalyptic style series and then tried to make them more scary by adding in a more gory/graphic threat.
In 1975 the BBC made an excellent series called "Survivors" which is very similar to the film except that the virus killed everyone instead of turning them into zombie-like creatures. It was a little more psychological than horror, but similar themes exploring survival and what it all means to maintain one's humanity and how to rebuild emerged each episode. In fact, one episode featured a military style dictatorship set up that expected to use female survivors as breeding stock. If you liked the exploration of Survival and the fight to maintain humanity (both physically and mentally) behind 28 Days Later, you should check out this series (some PBS stations play it occasionally).
In 1981 there was also "Day of the Triffids" (from the 1962 film) which also featured a deserted London and the banding together of survivors to keep safe from the attacking plants. It's not as good, but still interesting.